Introduction

There are four different ways to measure waves. Two quantities are related to speed and two quantities are related to distance.

• Amplitude accounts for the height of the waveform;
• Wavelength accounts for the width of the waveform;
• Frequency accounts for the speed of the wave's source;
• Wave speed accounts for the speed of the waveform through space.

Keeping them separate in your mind is one of the keys to this chapter!

Activity

The Quia activity linked here is based on a PhET simulation of a wave on a string. The simulation is available here as well as through Quia. Follow the directions in the Quia activity, and then consider the additional quality point offerings.

Assessment

1 Quality Point

Exercise is attempted with some success.

2 Quality Points

Exercise is attempted, and mostly successful.

3 Quality Points

Exercise is fully successful, regardless of number of attempts.

4-5 Quality Points

Exercise is also supplemented with a screencast, which shows the PhET Wave-on-a-String operating with a narrative explaining how the four measurable quantities are related. (Limit your screencast to 30 seconds, please!) Please contact Mr. Cox if you need any assistance making a screencast!